It’s the first animated film made by Spielberg, who told reporters in the press room: “Animation gives you so much rope to hang yourself with. You can get very complex in your choreography of the camera.”

He added: “It’s such a malleable art form. It drove Bob Zemeckis away from live action.”

Spielberg gave thanks to Zemeckis for being an innovator in film technology. “Bob is the Thomas Edison of the motion capture, new medium. Peter Jackson, myself and James Cameron all take our hats off to him,” he said.

He said he wasn’t concerned about using old material, such as the venerable comic books that inspired the Tintin film.

“It’s not important to look for relevancy when you’re trying to entertain people,” he said, adding that the director’s style and value will provide relevancy.

Meanwhile, in the category of Best Original Song, “Hello Hello” — from Disney’s animated Gnomeo & Juliet, with music by Elton John and lyrics by Bernie Taupin — lost to “Masterpiece,” from the live-action W.E.

The Golden Globe Awards are presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Among the other awards presented Sunday:

Best Motion Picture – Drama: The Descendants
Best Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical: The Artist
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama: George Clooney, The Descendants
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical: Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama: Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical: Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn
Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: Octavia Spencer, The Help